Five managers who could replace Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers is nearing his third year in charge of Liverpool and many deem his time as a failure.

The Northern Irishman promised to deliver when he was sat in his interview for the hot-seat at Anfield and stated that within three seasons, the Reds would firmly be a Champions League side once again.

A embarrassing effort in Europe's elite club competition happened earlier this season when Liverpool were dumped out of the Champions League in the group stages and didn't fare much better when they beaten by Besiktas in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Rodgers has firmly had the backing of owners, Fenway Sports Group, since he took the helm at the Merseyside outfit. The ex-Swansea City boss has had hundreds of millions of pounds handed to him and, despite some decent signings, the majority have been disappointing.

Rodgers failed to replace Luis Suarez last summer and instead drafted in Mario Balotelli, a striker riddled with controversy throughout his career.

The 42-year-old has become the first manager since Phil Taylor in the 1950's to not win his a trophy within a triplet of seasons at Liverpool and his poor tactics in the 2-1 FA Cup semi-final loss against Aston Villa have infuriated many Kopites.

Rumours are spreading that Rodgers will not be the manager of Liverpool come the start of next season. The question is, who will replace him?

Slaven Bilic

The Pros

Slaven Bilic's mastermind tactics frustrated Liverpool for two legs and seen his Besiktas side advance to the last 16 of the Europa League. There's no denying that the former West Ham United footballer has talent as a boss. Bilic is a manager who plays close attention to detail and has a style of encouragement towards his players.

Some may not agree with this method, however, the current Liverpool squad is full of egos. Balotelli is a player who seems he would like consistent praise could be the X-factor to his form finally reversing. Raheem Sterling seems to enjoy being centre of attention, likewise Daniel Sturridge who can be greedy with the ball at times. The introduction of Bilic could therefore add plenty of confidence to the Reds side through a simple thing of encouragement.

The Cons

One factor that would not go down too well with Kopites is that he is a former Everton player. Although he only played 28 times for the Toffees, it would be hard for Liverpool fans to forgive him for that.

He too, as a player, was extremely cynical and was the subject of more than one dive in his time. Suarez was a class player, however, if he'd have stayed at the Merseyside club last summer, there's a good chance the neutral could turn on Liverpool. After working hard to shrug that reputation off, the Reds would not want a manager who could bring controversy to the club once again.

Eddie Howe

The Pros

Eddie Howe has done a tremendous job at Bournemouth over two stints. When he took the job in January 2009, the south coast side were in real financial trouble and had a negative points tally due to cash flow problems.

With no experience as a top-boss, Howe took the job at Dean Court and miraculously guided the Dorset side out of a negative tally and out of the relegation zone. Since, he secured promotion to League 1, the Championship and his side look to be surging into the Premier League for the first time.

The 37-year-old practises expansive football that is easy on the eye and reaps the highest rewards. Bournemouth have netted 92 goals in the Championship this term, more than any other side in that league and also have the highest goal difference. His young, fresh approach could change the dynamic of Liverpool.

The Cons

When Rodgers took over at Anfield, he had just one full year of experience in the Premier League. The English top flight is a completely different kettle of fish to the second tier and often new managers can be found out fairly quickly. Howe has never managed in the Premier League where he would be meeting top-quality side's on a weekly basis and the pressure could be too much.

He also had a short stint at Burnley and, although he didn't do too badly at Turfmoor, he soon returned to Bournemouth as it was closer to his family.

Jamie Carragher

The Pros

In his playing career, many people predicted that Jamie Carragher could become Liverpool manager in the future.

The former number 23 is Red through and through, despite being an Everton fan at an early age. His passion for the five-time European Cup winners is undeniable and there's no doubt he would bring an old school 'no nonsense' back to Liverpool. Since retiring, he's witnessed the Reds' defence crumble and would be keen to add that solidarity once again.

The Bootle native is now a pundit on Sky Sports and talks a lot of sense when in the studio analysing games. It would be superb in the future if he did go into management.

The Cons

Unfortunately, the job would be just too big for Carragher for his first time in charge of a club. If he went out and got experience and proved himself, there's not a Kopite across the globe who wouldn't snap somebody's hand off to have him giving a team-talk each week.

Rafa Benitez

The Pros

Under Rafa Benitez, Liverpool enjoyed a highly successful spell.

The Spaniard guided the Merseyside club to two trophies - the Champions League and the FA Cup as well as finishing runners-up in the Premier League during his five season stint at the club. In his previous spell as manager between 2004-2010, Benitez wasn't given an awful lot of money - nothing compared to what Rodgers has had - and, with a decent transfer kitty, he could bring in some very smart signings.

Every season, the Reds had a fantastic run in the Champions League, reaching the final twice and the semi-final in 2008. European Cup nights are special to Kopites and that feeling has been badly bittered by Rodgers failed attempt this campaign.

Benitez is a tactician, who carefully plans games out for Liverpool to win. His style encourages his side to win the game by taking advantage of the opposition and playing to their weaknesses. The Reds had an excellent defensive record under the now Napoli boss and silly goals conceded occurred once in a blue moon.

He too loves Liverpool, with his wife still living across the River Mersey in West Kirby. One feels that Benitez had some unfinished business at attend to at Anfield.

The Cons

Towards the end of his time as Liverpool boss, Benitez began to frustrate Kopites. He became arrogant and never admitted he was wrong, a undesirable quality in any manager.

He too played football that was sometimes painful to watch. Yes, he got results, however, often that is not all Reds fans want. In fairness to Rodgers, he's encouraged attacking football and it would be taking a big step backwards.

Jurgen Klopp

The Pros

Based on manager's available, Jurgen Klopp would not be a bad appointment at all.

The German has confirmed he will be leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season and a host of Europe's elite club's will be trying hard to ink a deal with him.

Klopp has a perfect profile to succeed at Liverpool. He's won two Bundesliga titles in Dusseldorf and reached a Champions League final in his career and proved he can handle big pressure situations.

Liverpool owners FSG have a philosophy of bringing young players in and developing them. This would work to one of Klopp's assets 'gengenpressing' style of a quick pace, building his side against a few key players. Energy and pressing is key to Klopp's tactics as he encourages men to swarm around the ball when it is lost.

The Cons

Dortmund's league form isn't the most flattering this season, as they sit just 10th in the Bundesliga. it could well be that 'gengenpressing' has been found out and the likes of Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Louis van Gaal could outsmart Klopp.

Manchester City look set to axe Manuel Pellegrini this summer after a disappointing season and it's likely Klopp will too be in their radar.

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